Re-stringing An Electric

[Bugsy0032]

Ok, I'll first say "Im still a beginner!!" Im sure re-stringing gets better with practice. I've been told that you use the entire string and not clip it, I've been told to just get enough string and clip the rest! Ok, so what's the BEST way?? I broke the 1st string on my Ibanez GRX45, so I restrung it, and of course, the bridge (trem) came way up. I would suspect because of too much string. Would that be the possible cause?

[Mickguard]

Ok, I'll first say "Im still a beginner!!"  Im sure re-stringing gets better with practice. I've been told that you use the entire string and not clip it, I've been told to just get enough string and clip the rest! Ok, so what's the BEST way??  I broke the 1st string on my Ibanez GRX45, so I restrung it, and of course, the bridge (trem) came way up. I would suspect because of too much string. Would that be the possible cause?

←

Huh? Tell you what, is there a music store near you? Bring the guitar in, ask them for a new set of strings and ask them to show you how to put them on properly. Bet you they'll be really nice about it too.

[Bugsy0032]

Ok, I'll first say "Im still a beginner!!"  Im sure re-stringing gets better with practice. I've been told that you use the entire string and not clip it, I've been told to just get enough string and clip the rest! Ok, so what's the BEST way??  I broke the 1st string on my Ibanez GRX45, so I restrung it, and of course, the bridge (trem) came way up. I would suspect because of too much string. Would that be the possible cause?

←

Huh? Tell you what, is there a music store near you? Bring the guitar in, ask them for a new set of strings and ask them to show you how to put them on properly. Bet you they'll be really nice about it too.

←

I appreciate the reply. I believe I will take it to the shop and have him re-string it, "showing me the PROPER way of doing it." I'll provide the strings though, since he's a bit HIGH priced on his strings. I will however, pull the strings off and try again, using minimal about of string on the post. As they say, "learn by doing" right!! Who knows, maybe I'll get it right, and be able to avoid going to the shop!! (: Save some $$$

[GregP]

It's really difficult re-stringing a guitar with the same set of strings. They're already 'coiled up' from where they used to be wound around the post. I like the above advice, but at some point in time you'll need to learn to do it yourself. So, when you're being 'taught', here are a few things to watch out for as he's doing it.

(he may not have the foresight to show you every little detail)

1. Turn the empty post before trying to put the string in, so that the string will enter it at a comfortable angle.

2. The tuners are turned counter-clockwise (when you're looking directly at them from the side) to tighten them.

3. Only practice will allow you to determine how much 'slack' to leave on your strings in order to give yourself 2 full wraps around the post. It's easier to 'correct' yourself if you've given yourself too much slack then too little, though. If you have to release more slack, you introduce an ugly and weak 'kink' into the string.

4. Regarding the clipping of strings: don't clip them at first. Wind them and THEN clip them to size, bending a little "loop" into the end of them so that you don't have a sharp point sticking out.

5. Those little buggers will want to un-coil right over the top of the post unless you use some tricky control methods. It's hard to describe what I personally do, but it's basically that I keep a finger down on the string about an inch away from the tuning post, so that there's a bit of "pull" from the post to my finger, meaning that you're not generating a buch of slack coily things that want to unwind.

6. Some people make sure there's a full wrap above AND below the hole in the post. I've traditionally just made sure that I have even, non-overlapping wraps below the hole.

I'm sure there's more, but I gotta run. All I can say is that it takes practice. Nobody's going to do a great job of it first time out, but you have to be willing to take that risk... allow yourself to think, "Bah, it's only strings" and have at it!!

Greg

[joej]

I found a great tutorial on the web -- but now can't find it.

Anyway, google is your friend:

Uncle Tim shows your how to string your guitar.

eHow also shows how to.

With a trem -- its a bit harder.

No one I know uses ALL the string (wrapped up on the peg) -- except B.B. King does, I think.

I just measure a few inches past the peg, clip it with a wire cutter, then string it up.

I use something like Uncle Tim shows (around, under, then tighten).

-- joe

edit: adding Elixir how-to string link

Ok, I'll first say "Im still a beginner!!"  Im sure re-stringing gets better with practice. I've been told that you use the entire string and not clip it, I've been told to just get enough string and clip the rest! Ok, so what's the BEST way??  I broke the 1st string on my Ibanez GRX45, so I restrung it, and of course, the bridge (trem) came way up. I would suspect because of too much string. Would that be the possible cause?

←

[Bugsy0032]

It's really difficult re-stringing a guitar with the same set of strings.  They're already 'coiled up' from where they used to be wound around the post.  I like the above advice, but at some point in time you'll need to learn to do it yourself.  So, when you're being 'taught', here are a few things to watch out for as he's doing it.

(he may not have the foresight to show you every little detail)

1.  Turn the empty post before trying to put the string in, so that the string will enter it at a comfortable angle.

2.  The tuners are turned counter-clockwise (when you're looking directly at them from the side) to tighten them.

3.  Only practice will allow you to determine how much 'slack' to leave on your strings in order to give yourself 2 full wraps around the post.  It's easier to 'correct' yourself if you've given yourself too much slack then too little, though.  If you have to release more slack, you introduce an ugly and weak 'kink' into the string.

4.  Regarding the clipping of strings:  don't clip them at first.  Wind them and THEN clip them to size, bending a little "loop" into the end of them so that you don't have a sharp point sticking out.

5.  Those little buggers will want to un-coil right over the top of the post unless you use some tricky control methods.  It's hard to describe what I personally do, but it's basically that I keep a finger down on the string about an inch away from the tuning post, so that there's a bit of "pull" from the post to my finger, meaning that you're not generating a buch of slack coily things that want to unwind.

6.  Some people make sure there's a full wrap above AND below the hole in the post.  I've traditionally just made sure that I have even, non-overlapping wraps below the hole.

I'm sure there's more, but I gotta run.  All I can say is that it takes practice.  Nobody's going to do a great job of it first time out, but you have to be willing to take that risk... allow yourself to think, "Bah, it's only strings" and have at it!!

Greg

←

EXCELLENT advice! (: The string un-coiling over the top of the post happened to me on a few of the strings, frustrating as it was, I did try next the over and then under the hole, and the un-coil happened just once. I can see now, where you said placing your finger about 1 inch from the post, giving it that tension, while holding the strings slack to give a "controlled wrap" around the post works the best. In fact, when my acoustic got new strings put on by the shop I mentioned, I believe he did the same thing. He was working fast (he had the head of the winder attached to a drill....low speed....fast work of the attachment of the string!). I believe the "mystery" has been solved. Thanks for the help!

[Bugsy0032]

Joe,

Thanks!! (: I'll check out those links!! I know, it's just a matter of "patience and practice"

Robert

[Mickguard]

Yeah, try stringing up a guitar with a Bigsby...you get things flopping out all over the place.

I've switched to locking tuners and put them on all of my guitars now. It just makes stringing up so much easier, it's worth the extra price. Plus you get better tuning stability.

[Bugsy0032]

Yeah, try stringing up a guitar with a Bigsby...you get things flopping out all over the place.

I've switched to locking tuners and put them on all of my guitars now. It just makes stringing up so much easier, it's worth the extra price. Plus you get better tuning stability.

←

That sounds SCARY!! LOL

I haven't changed the strings on my Carvin Bolt yet, and it does have the locking sperzels on it. Maybe I should put locking tuners on all my guitars too!!! Then, I wouldn't have had the need to ask how to string a guitar!! (:

[stiggz]

hey, leaving the rest of the string hanging off after the post has any effect to the tone is bollocks, only the taught bit of string has an effect.

[Mr.Churchyard]

No one I know uses ALL the string (wrapped up on the peg) -- except B.B. King does, I think.

←

In fact, if you see B.B. live, he's got a lot of tuning problems.

[thedoctor]

I can't help but think you inadvertently changed gauge on the string you replaced. That or you have a sticky trem-pivot (I HATE when that happens).

[Bugsy0032]

I found a great tutorial on the web -- but now can't find it.

Anyway, google is your friend:

Uncle Tim shows your how to string your guitar.

eHow also shows how to.

With a trem -- its a bit harder.

No one I know uses ALL the string (wrapped up on the peg) -- except B.B. King does, I think.

I just measure a few inches past the peg, clip it with a wire cutter, then string it up.

I use something like Uncle Tim shows (around, under, then tighten).

-- joe

edit: adding Elixir how-to string link

Ok, I'll first say "Im still a beginner!!"  Im sure re-stringing gets better with practice. I've been told that you use the entire string and not clip it, I've been told to just get enough string and clip the rest! Ok, so what's the BEST way??  I broke the 1st string on my Ibanez GRX45, so I restrung it, and of course, the bridge (trem) came way up. I would suspect because of too much string. Would that be the possible cause?

←

←

I checked those links out. Uncletims was the BEST!! Perfect!! It makes alot of sense to me now about judging the needed length of the strings to wrap around the posts. I sincerely appreciate everyones help and input. (: Now I don't feel so much like a "BEGINNER!" lol

[Bugsy0032]

I can't help but think you inadvertently changed gauge on the string you replaced. That or you have a sticky trem-pivot (I HATE when that happens).

←

Fact is, you're right on about the change in string gauge! I believe the Ibanez GRX45 came with 9's (don't quote me on that though...could've been 10's?).

I put D'Addario EXL110 strings on it. (extra set that came with my Carvin Bolt) Im not totally sure of the size without looking it up, but I think those are 11's ??? I did order some ErnieBall slinkys, that Im waiting on. I'll probably toss those on instead...maybe?) My JTurser Walnut SG still needs new strings too. lol

Rob

[Mr.Churchyard]

Fact is, you're right on about the change in string gauge! I believe the Ibanez GRX45 came with 9's (don't quote me on that though...could've been 10's?).

I put D'Addario EXL110 strings on it.  (extra set that came with my Carvin Bolt) Im not totally sure of the size without looking it up, but I think those are 11's ??? I did order some ErnieBall slinkys, that Im waiting on. I'll probably toss those on instead...maybe?) My JTurser Walnut SG still needs new strings too. lol 

Rob

←

EXL 110 are 10s-46.

But wait a second, let me get this straight: you have got something like two or three different electric guitars but are still a beginner? You're one rich and lucky guy! Consider me your best friend

[TenderSurrender]

Ernie Ball Gauge 10's all the way

Or... make the immature mistake that i did... use a speedloader... and have to buy stupid strings... *sorry needed to have a lil rant since still annoyed*

~~ Slain Angel ~~

[mledbetter]

This is funny.. it's a question that initially makes people go huh?? did he just ask that?? but there isn't a ton of info on it and I know a lot of grown adults that take their guitars in to be changed.. baffles me but maybe it's because they have LPs and they get tired of the bridge falling off!!

Here's what i've done and I never have unwinding..

1. put the string through the bridge and run it through the post. I have the post positioned so the string goes through on the right hand side and bends back through towards the bridge again (6 inline right handed)

2. My trick for getting the windings right is I hold the string down on the fretboard with my index finger, then with my other fingers I pull the string up high, about 3-4 inches off the fretboard. This does 2 things.. 1 it puts tension on the string for winding, and 2 it makes sure you have enough string to get several good winds around the post.

3. I wind with a 2 dollar crank string winder. Or if i misplaced it I do it the hard way.

4. The post. Make sure after the first wind that the string runs under each wind before it so as it goes it's being forced down toward the peghead. You want a downward angle on the string anyway.. Letting it crawl up the post is asking for trouble if you dont' have string trees.

5. I get 5-6 good winds on each string, less on the bass string and probably more, 6-8 on the high E.

Tips.. change 1 string at a time, starting with bass. After it's tuned to pitch, gently pull on the string, tune it to pitch.. repeat until pulling no longer gets it out of tune. If you have a trem, you could yank back on the trem instead of pulling the string..

Now.. if you're using a locking trem.. Change 1 string at a time still.. Tune to pitch.. You may have to torque down the springs in the back somewhat if you're going heavier string gauge.. but you don't have to work so hard at the stretching part. Just lock down the nut clamps (that sounded painful) and there shouldn't be any stretching to speak of.. If there is the fine tuners should work just fine. Dont forget to center out the fine tuners too before you start of you may find yourself at the end of their travel and have to restring again.

Hope that helps some.. who knows, maybe some others wondered and were afraid to ask..

-m

[TenderSurrender]

Dont know if anyone agrees with me but i feel this would be a great post to be pinned.

It helps guitarists of all levels explore a different way of stringing there guitar.

(since each person usually has there own way of stringing there axe...)

I know that although ive restrung mine and other peoples guitar many times, i have learned a couple of techniques from this post which HAVE made a difference.

~~ Slain Angel ~~